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3 Phoenix Suns players whose trade value improved in 2023

Luke Duffy|
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 16: Bol Bol #10 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on March 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Magic 116-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 16: Bol Bol #10 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on March 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Magic 116-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 03: Bol Bol of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket while Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 03: Bol Bol of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket while Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

2. Bol Bol

Is there a more polarizing figure in the entire NBA than Bol Bol? Depending on who you talk to, Bol is either going to be the answer to all of the Suns’ regular season problems, or else he is going to be out of the rotation by December.

Even if the answer is more likely to be the latter, there is no doubt that he improved his trade value last season with the Orlando Magic. Which is also puzzling, because they had no problem sitting him down the stretch of the regular season as they chased the play-in tournament, and also waived him without any fuss either.

When the Magic were in need of a player to step up when their roster was decimated through injury, Bol answered the call. Offensively he did a bit of everything, from bringing the ball up the floor, having better passing ability than he gets credit for, and being able to knock down a 3-pointer.

The hope for the Suns here is that they can drastically reduce his role, and watch him excel in small bursts. They can afford to take a chance on him early in the regular season, because the payoff has the potential to be so big. Defensively he is going to be awful, but the hope is that the Suns have brought in enough defensive-minded players to survive the Bol minutes on that end.

No matter what you think of Bol though, for one of the true contenders in the league to take a chance on his talent shows a definite improvement in his trade value. The way the Magic cut him, especially as a young, up-and-coming group, is concerning. But having been an afterthought while with the Nuggets — to then rebuilding his stock with the Magic — is an upward trajectory.

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